Thrills and spills of studying in London

[stoneysongs]

A thread for supporters of DC heading to London unis - was originally going to be UCL which seems very popular this year, but expanded at @Needmoresleep's excellent suggestion.

For chats about moving in, what to take, living in London, whether an Oyster card is worth bothering with, how to do a big shop, where to park at drop off, the dreaded search for 2nd year accommodation etc etc etc

Tagging people I've spotted from the ex Oxbridge thread but all welcome including those with DC currently in London who can share their wisdom and anyone thinking of it for 2025 or beyond

@catmomof3
@lifeturnsonadime
@PotentialUCLmum
@CoffeeMugShot
@space99
@FebruarySmith
@mynameisnotmichaelcaine
@Summertimer

By way of intro I have a DD going to UCL to study BASc Arts and Sciences.

Out of interest, what is the advantage of getting the student Oyster card? My DS has been using a normal one and linked it to his rail card, so claims that he saves 30% off all tube travel already. Is it more of a saving, if he gets the student one?

It's 30% off @space99.

I'm curious about this too. We are not from London so DD didn't have an Oyster card to start with, so it made sense to get the student one when she started uni. But once she receives it and has it linked to her railcard, I'm wondering what additional advantage that will confer.

Sorry pressed send too soon. The issue with linking to a railcard is that there are restrictions on times of use apparently (for the railcard and sometimes carrier too) There have been lots of stories in the news recently where TfL are prosecuting young people for using the Oyster/railcard discount at the wrong times. The rules are complicated and there have been challenges but TfL are being bloody minded and young people are ending up with criminal records because the rules are so confusing.

As such I'd rather ds just used the student Oyster for the discount and not link it to his railcard as he has 2-3 days a week where he needs to travel at peak times.

Ok so my understanding is that with the student Oyster card you can get 30% off travelcards, but no discount on pay as you go. With the railcard linked to the Oyster card, you can get 30% pay as you go fares, but only off-peak. Not sure if it is more complicated than that. But it may make sense for us to just stick with the travelcard and not risk getting a criminal record for being confused(!)

Blimey that is terrible, that students could end up with criminal records just for using their Oyster card before 10am Monday to Friday. Surely TFL should set it up, so the discount is not applied, if they travel during peak times. Just messaged my DS to check he’s aware. He will say yes, even if he wasn’t 😂

Seems like only worth getting the student Oyster card, if you need to purchase a travel card or bus and tram pass season ticket.

Does the oyster let them tap in?

When my DS was at uni he just used contactless

DD has got the student one and now only realised it doesn’t offer discount on single trips. Pointless basically. And can’t seem to convert it to a standard Oyster card despite it costing £13 more.

With an Oyster you just tap in and out, so I assume the railcard discount will only apply (it works automatically once you have linked your railcard to your oyster)if you’re doing that off peak. You don’t choose a cheaper fare by saying you have a railcard IYSWIM.
tfl.gov.uk/fares/free-and-discounted-travel/national-railcard-discount

All correct. No point in student oyster unless doing travel cards and season cards - no benefit for pay as you/single trips. Is worth all of them doing the student railcard link although only of benefit off peak. No risk of underpaying as is just processed as they tap in and out. Having said which, linking them seems oddly difficult - my eldest never managed it as his local stations all just shrugged (many no longer have ticket offices) and he is lazy

Hi all, slightly different topic , I'm down in London next weekend and staying Sunday night at a Premier Inn at Kings Cross. Does anyone have any restaurant recommendations in the area as I'm sure DS will appreciate a nice meal?

Many thanks x

Dishoom

Roti King is close by and is cheap and cheerful (Malaysian - usually a queue). Otherwise Coal Drops Yard at Kings x has lots of choice; Dishoom, Barrafina are good but there are lots of places there. We like the Hare and Tortoise two stops on the Piccadilly line nr Russell Square tube.

The Standard Hotel opposite Kings x station for something stylish and they do a nice weekend brunch. This is a couple of minutes walk from the Euston Rd PI and just 5 minutes from the PI Hub hotel.

Kings X is a good location as you can get all over London from there.

if you don’t want to queue for Dishoom the Lighterman by the fountains is very good and great views. Do book beforehand though

In my head I kinda thought to myself "why not have dinner at the premier inn"?

Obviously I know PP wants a better, higher quality dinning experience.

There’s loads of easy affordable options nearby too - leon, hoppers etc - right on your doorstep - it’s a fun area to explore so definitely don’t stay in

Thanks for all of the ideas! I've eaten in the restaurant in the premier inn before because I've used it before getting the Eurostar in the past, so I wanted to try something new.

So many choices!

Ciao Bella in Lambs Conduit Street was our favourite when feeding hungry students. It's a traditional Italian trattoria, been around for ever and is busy and friendly. Worth booking.

Or a short tube ride to Leicester Sq and Chinatown? Happy to suggest some options, though including Rasa Sayang which is a very good Malaysian restaurant, though again withy a queue. .

Quite nice strolling around Coaldrops. I have total cognitive dissonance there still as in my young adulthood it was an infamous wasteland of industrial detritus, drug dealers and prostitutes. And now it is fairly extraordinary , and still building

How about the Mexican, Mestizo, 103 Hampstead Road, between Euston and Warren Street stations.

Anyone else’s DC stressing about end of term and forthcoming exams in January?

Not stressing about work but starting to think about accom for next year. Hopefully the third year students will pass on details about theirs

Unless they find some dedicated student lets, I think most students rent on the open market, so start looking two months in advance. My advice would be to start early in the summer even if it means getting a temp job to pay the rent. Late August, when new graduates are also looking, can be manic.

Or, ideally, try to get some third years to introduce you to their landlord.

That makes sense thanks. I guess they will need to sort something before they all head back to their home towns/countries